Configurable container

ABSTRACT

A container includes a cup having a sidewall that expands to an upper end that defines an upper opening of the cup. A lid is attached to the cup by a hinge. The lid has a sidewall that reduces to an upper end. An upper opening of the lid is smaller than the upper opening of the cup. The container has a narrow-mouth configuration in which the lid covers the upper opening of the lid and the upper opening of the lid defines the sole entry and exit point for contents to and from the container. The container has a wide-mouth configuration in which the upper opening of the cup is uncovered. The lid is moved about the hinge to achieve the narrow-mouth and wide-mouth configurations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to containers for beverages and the like. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a container having a hinging lid to provide a wide-mouth configuration and a narrow-mouth configuration.

BACKGROUND

Typically available beverage containers such as used for coffee and soft drinks are each purposed for a narrow range of use. Such containers are not typically useful both for drinking and for dispensing liquid into another container. For example, it can be difficult to transfer beverage from a typical wide-mouthed cup and spills are likely to occur. Conversely, it can be difficult to transfer beverage to a typical narrow-necked bottle. Thus, cups are often preferred for seated table use and bottles are often preferred when on the go, for example in vehicles.

Increasingly, however, beverages such as coffee and soft drinks are being either dispensed by consumers using self-serve pots and fountain machines, and beverages are being flavored to taste, for example using creamers, sweeteners, and other additives. These same beverages are then sometimes going to a table for partial consumption, for example in cafes and public spaces, and then to vehicles or are carried while commuting or moving among workspaces. Coffees and other beverages are often even sold in single-container units in volumes too large for single-session or single-user consumption. Thus, multi-use needs are not being met by a single container that can conveniently receive additives, be used in motion without spilling, and be used to transfer liquid to other containers.

Typically, the solution applied to preventing spillage is a lid that pops onto a wide-mouthed cup, with the lid typically being separately manufactured from the cup. With such products, both cups and lids must be inventoried and sizing must be coordinated. Often enough, consumers first reach for wrong-sized lids causing needless inventory loss, beverage-stand clutter, and even unsanitary conditions in which consumers handle several lids and return the size-mismatched items to inventory to be used by other unwary customers. Even once a properly sized lid is found and applied to a beverage container, the lid can be dropped or lost when a consumer wishes to take a drink, add ice, refill the container, or improve the taste with additives. Some of these operations are attempted in vehicles and the lid can be dropped leaving the beverage susceptible to spilling whether kept in hand or placed in a cup holder.

Thus, the needs for improved multi-purpose containers are many.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form concepts that are further described in the following detailed descriptions. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In at least one embodiment, a container includes: a cup having at least one sidewall that expands from a lower end thereof to an upper end thereof, and a lower base sealed to the sidewall proximal the lower end, the upper end of the sidewall defining an upper opening of the cup; a lid attached to the cup, the lid having at least one sidewall that reduces from a lower end thereof to an upper end thereof, the lower end of the sidewall of the lid defining a lower opening of the lid and the upper end of the sidewall of the lid defining an upper opening of the lid, the upper opening of the lid being smaller than the upper opening of the cup, and a hinge attaching the lid to the cup such that the lid is movable relative to the cup from a first position in which the lid covers the upper opening of the cup and at least one second position in which the upper opening of the cup is uncovered, wherein, in the first position of the lid, the container has a narrow-mouth configuration in which the lid covers the upper opening of the lid and the upper opening of the lid defines the sole entry and exit point for contents to and from the container, and wherein, in the second position of the lid, the container has a wide-mouth configuration in which the upper opening of the cup is uncovered.

In at least one example, in the first position of the lid the lower end of the sidewall of the lid engages and seals with the upper end of the sidewall of the cup.

In at least one example, the cup tapers by narrowing from the upper opening of the cup to the lower base of the cup.

In at least one example, the lid tapers by narrowing from the lower opening of the lid to the upper opening of the lid.

In at least one example, the sidewall of the lid has a truncated cone shape.

In at least one example, in the narrow-mouth configuration of the container, the upper opening of the lid is aligned with a central axis defined along a center of the cup and a center of the lid.

In at least one example, in the narrow-mouth configuration of the container, the container is symmetric about the central axis.

In at least one example, the sidewall of the cup has a truncated cone shape.

In at least one example, in the wide-mouth configuration of the container, the upper opening of the cup is uncovered for filling the cup, for receiving additives into the cup, and for drinking from the cup.

In at least one example, in the narrow-mouth configuration of the container, the upper opening of the lid functions as the service mouth of the container for drinking and dispensing from the cup.

In at least one example, the hinge comprises a living hinge defined as a contiguous material extension from the sidewall of the cup to the sidewall of the lid.

In at least one example, in the narrow-mouth configuration of the container, the container has a maximum diameter at a junction of the cup and lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The previous summary and the following detailed descriptions are to be read in view of the drawings, which illustrate particular exemplary embodiments and features as briefly described below. The summary and detailed descriptions, however, are not limited to only those embodiments and features explicitly illustrated.

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a configurable container, according to at least one embodiment, in a narrow-mouth configuration.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the configurable container of FIG. 1 in a wide-mouth configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

These descriptions are presented with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. These descriptions expound upon and exemplify particular features of those particular embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matters. Although the term “step” may be expressly used or implied relating to features of processes or methods, no implication is made of any particular order or sequence among such expressed or implied steps unless an order or sequence is explicitly stated.

Any dimensions expressed or implied in the drawings and these descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to such exemplary dimensions. The drawings are not made necessarily to scale. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to the apparent scale of the drawings with regard to relative dimensions in the drawings. However, for each drawing, at least one embodiment is made according to the apparent relative scale of the drawing.

A configurable container 100, according to at least one embodiment, is shown in FIG. 1 in a narrow-mouth configuration. In FIG. 2, the container 100 is shown in a wide-mouth configuration. The container 100 includes a cup 110 and a lid 130 that are mutually attached by a hinge 102. The wide-mouth configuration of FIG. 2 is achieved from the narrow-mouth configuration of FIG. 1 by hinging of the lid 130 relative to the cup 110 in a first rotational direction 104 around the hinge 102. From the wide-mouth configuration of FIG. 2, the narrow-mouth configuration of FIG. 1 is achieved by returning the lid 130 relative to the cup 110 around the hinge 102 in a rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction 104.

The cup 110 has at least one sidewall 112 that expands from a lower end 114 to an upper end 116. Upper and lower are relative terms used herein for descriptive purposes and refer to the configuration of the container 100 as shown in FIG. 1 with the lid 130 placed above the cup 110. Other orientations of the container 100 and its components are of course expected with use and handling, thus the terms upper and lower are tentative but serve to nominally identify features of the container 100 without ambiguity.

The sidewall 112 tapers from the relatively wide upper end 116 to the relatively narrow lower end 114 to define a vessel having a dimension, such as a diameter, that expands from a sealed lower base 120 of the cup 110 to an upper opening 122 (FIG. 2) of the cup 110. Accordingly, the cup tapers, narrowing from the upper opening 122 to the lower base 120. The sidewall 112 may have a circular frustoconical or truncated cone shape or may be faceted having multiple sidewall sections joined at creases or folds. The lower base 120 is sealed to the sidewall 112 proximal the lower end 114, and may be sealed at the lower end 114 of the sidewall 112 or may have a recessed floor raised from the lower end 114 within the interior of the cup 110.

The lid 130 has at least one sidewall 132 that reduces from a lower end 134 to an upper end 136. Upper and lower refer to the configuration of the container 100 as shown in FIG. 1 with the lid 130 placed above the cup 110, whereas the lid 130 is inverted in FIG. 2. The sidewall 132 tapers from the relatively wide lower end 134 to the relatively narrow upper end 136 to define a funnel or spout having a dimension, such as a diameter, that reduces from a relatively wide lower opening 140 (FIG. 2) to a relative narrow upper opening 142. The lower end 134 of the sidewall 132 of the lid 130 engages the upper end 116 of the sidewall 112 of the cup 110 forming a tentative seal in the configuration of the container 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The lower end 134 of the sidewall 132 accordingly is shaped to match and correspond to that of the upper end 116 of the sidewall 112. As such, the sidewall 132 may have a circular frustoconical or truncated cone shape or may be faceted having multiple sidewall sections joined at creases or folds in accordance with the shape of the sidewall 112.

The engagement of the lower end 134 of the lid 130 to the upper end 116 of the cup 110 may be an interference fit arrangement, a lip in groove arrangement, or other sealing arrangement. When engagement as in FIG. 1 is achieved, the upper opening 122 of the cup 110 and the lower opening 140 of the lid 130 align, and the upper opening 142 of the lid 130 is the sole entry and exit point for contents to and from the container 110, with the upper opening 122 of the cup 110 being covered by the lid 130.

Each of the cup 110 and lid 130 in the illustrated embodiments has a circular frustoconical or truncated cone shape. In the narrow-mouth configuration of FIG. 1, the upper opening 142 of the lid 130 is aligned with a central axis 106 defined along the centers of the cup 110 and lid 130. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, in the narrow-mouth configuration of FIG. 1, the container 100 is symmetric about the central axis 106. Furthermore, in the narrow-mouth configuration of FIG. 1, the container 100 has a maximum diameter 108 at the junction of the cup 110 and lid 130.

The hinge 102 may be a living hinge defined as a contiguous material extension from the sidewall 112 of the cup 110 to the sidewall 132 of the lid 130. In other examples, the hinge 102 is formed by a seamed attachment such as by weld, adhesive or other joining arrangement. Many hinge constructions are within the scope of these descriptions.

In the wide-mouth configuration of FIG. 2, the upper opening 122 of the cup 110 is uncovered and functions as the service mouth of the container 100, serving for filling the cup 100, for receiving additives into the cup, and for drinking from the cup. In the narrow-mouth configuration of FIG. 1, the upper opening 142 of the lid 130 functions as the service mouth of the container 100, serving for drinking and dispensing from the cup 100. A user selectively configures the container 100 between these configurations tentatively according to current need or preference by hinging of the hinging of the lid 130 relative to the cup 110.

While various users may fine various uses for the container 100 in either configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2, a typical user may for example prefer the wide-mouth configuration of FIG. 2 for filling the cup 110 with beverages, which may be hot or cold or room temperature. The user may add ice to the cup 110 or may add coffee or tea additives like cream and sugar in the configuration of FIG. 2. The user may prefer to drink from the container in either configuration of FIG. 1 or 2. When seated or otherwise relatively stable, the user may prefer to drink directly from the cup in the configuration of FIG. 2. When traveling or otherwise relatively unstable, the user may prefer to dispense a beverage or drink directly from the upper opening 142 of the lid 130 in the configuration of FIG. 1 to avoid spillage.

Reference to the configuration of FIG. 2 as the wide-mouth configuration is made due to the upper opening 122 of the cup 110 having a greater dimension, such as a diameter, than that of the upper opening 142 of the lid 130. Similarly, reference to the configuration of FIG. 1 as the narrow-mouth configuration is made due to the upper opening 142 of the lid 130 having a lesser dimension, such as a diameter, than that of the upper opening 122 of the cup 110.

The container 100 may be constructed of paper, which may be waxed or plasticized, and other materials. The container 100 may be constructed of polystyrene foam for thermal insulation, or other materials. The cup 110 and lid 130 may be constructed of same or dissimilar materials.

Particular embodiments and features have been described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that these descriptions are not limited to any single embodiment or any particular set of features, and that similar embodiments and features may arise or modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope of these descriptions and the spirit of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container comprising: a cup having at least one sidewall that expands from a lower end thereof to an upper end thereof, and a lower base sealed to the sidewall proximal the lower end, the upper end of the sidewall defining an upper opening of the cup; a lid attached to the cup, the lid having at least one sidewall that reduces from a lower end thereof to an upper end thereof, the lower end of the sidewall of the lid defining a lower opening of the lid and the upper end of the sidewall of the lid defining an upper opening of the lid, the upper opening of the lid being smaller than the upper opening of the cup, and a hinge attaching the lid to the cup such that the lid is movable relative to the cup from a first position in which the lid covers the upper opening of the cup and at least one second position in which the upper opening of the cup is uncovered, wherein, in the first position of the lid, the container has a narrow-mouth configuration in which the lid covers the upper opening of the lid and the upper opening of the lid defines the sole entry and exit point for contents to and from the container, and wherein, in the second position of the lid, the container has a wide-mouth configuration in which the upper opening of the cup is uncovered.
 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein in the first position of the lid the lower end of the sidewall of the lid engages and seals with the upper end of the sidewall of the cup.
 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the cup tapers by narrowing from the upper opening of the cup to the lower base of the cup.
 4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the lid tapers by narrowing from the lower opening of the lid to the upper opening of the lid.
 5. The container according to claim 4, wherein the sidewall of the lid has a truncated cone shape.
 6. The container according to claim 5, wherein, in the narrow-mouth configuration of the container, the upper opening of the lid is aligned with a central axis defined along a center of the cup and a center of the lid.
 7. The container according to claim 6, wherein, in the narrow-mouth configuration of the container, the container is symmetric about the central axis.
 8. The container according to claim 5, wherein the sidewall of the cup has a truncated cone shape.
 9. The container according to claim 1, wherein, in the wide-mouth configuration of the container, the upper opening of the cup is uncovered for filling the cup, for receiving additives into the cup, and for drinking from the cup.
 10. The container according to claim 1, wherein, in the narrow-mouth configuration of the container, the upper opening of the lid functions as the service mouth of the container for drinking and dispensing from the cup.
 11. The container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises a living hinge defined as a contiguous material extension from the sidewall of the cup to the sidewall of the lid.
 12. The container according to claim 1, wherein, in the narrow-mouth configuration of the container, the container has a maximum diameter at a junction of the cup and lid. 